I've done 50 of these prompts, holy crap! This one is actually a sequel to the previous prompt "Not Like This." I love it when prompts fit together, don't you?
Stabbed in…
Erend didn't expect to wake up, but he did. Confused at first, he gradually realized he was not dead, but in the healer's wing of the palace. He was naked save for his pants and the thick bandages wrapped his middle. He fingered them gently, remembering vague images of a knife and pain and red hair.
"Stay with me. I still owe you those two minutes, remember?"
Something warm and solid trapped his left arm. He turned his head to see Aloy, fast asleep with her head pillowed on her arms, his hand held securely in hers. She looked exhausted and absolutely beautiful. Gently, he lifted his free hand and stroked her hair, brushing it back from her face.
"She's refused to leave." A healer stood in the doorway, voice quiet. "I'm glad she's sleeping at last."
"How long?" Erend asked.
The healer pulled back the blanket to check his bandage. "Four days since you were brought in. For two of those days, we weren't sure you would make it."
"That bad, huh."
Aloy stirred under his hand.
"Maybe you can get her to rest and eat," the healer said.
Erend nodded absently, still stroking Aloy's hair as she opened her eyes. He saw the moment recognition flared across her face, a fierce joy coupled with afraid disbelief.
"Erend?"
He smiled and that, apparently, was enough. Tears rose in her eyes and she gently hugged him around the neck, face buried in his chest.
"It's okay," he murmured. "I'm okay."
"You almost weren't."
Erend held her as close as he could. "I'm sorry."
She pulled away just enough that she could look at him, staring into his eyes like she was drowning. One hand brushed through his hair and down his cheek and then she was kissing him. Her lips were dry and warm and Erend felt alive.
"If that's all it took, I should almost die more often," he said when she pulled away and she scowled at him.
"I'd punch you if you weren't lying down," Aloy said and kissed him again. Now that she was closer and he was more awake, Erend could see the shadows under her eyes, the exhaustion and worry that painted her forehead and the edges of her mouth. He shifted as best he could, ignoring the twinges of pain from his side.
"What are you doing?"
"Making room for you." He settled back with a sigh, unnerved at how much effort moving that little had been. Aloy continued to look at him in confusion so he patted the bed beside him.
"I don't want to hurt you," she said.
"You won't. Besides, I've been dying to have you in my bed for ages now." She rolled her eyes, but got up anyway. Carefully, she lay down beside him, her head pillowed on his chest and her arm resting just above the bandages.
"See?" said Erend and kissed the top of her head. "Perfect." He managed to stay awake long enough to hear Aloy's breathing even out into sleep before he joined her.